The Good Long Road follows my journey through motherhood as a writer and producer. You'll find musings on motherhood, creative activities to do with your kids, and excerpts and sneak peeks from my current books and films.

Search This Blog

The Duckling Gets A Cookie Simple Craft and Magic Cookie Jar

{Virtual Book Club for Kids: September Author - Mo Willems}

How One Book, A Simple Cookie Craft and a Magic Cookie Jar are Coming Together to Make Me a Better Mommy...

Adjusting to a new school year after a hectic summer left our family a bit frazzle. We had 2 major problems:

1. Mommy needs to chill out! The pressure to potty train Caterpillar (just 3 in August) in time for him to start preschool in mid-August and his struggles with adjusting left me with a short temper. I found my frustration level rising and had some angry outbursts that I am NOT proud of. I was becoming a mommy I did not want to become. I was angry.

2. Wild Thing (almost 5) came out of the summer with a seriously bad case of the "I Wants." He was whining about everything! It certainly was not helping with my frustration issue. This was not something we wanted to see continue. Not at all...

Just as I was beginning to feel overwhelmed by my own struggles and the new challenges Caterpillar and Wild Thing were presenting, the Virtual Book Club for Kids (VBCK) came to the rescue announcing their authors and book selections for this school year and reminding me about The Duckling Gets A Cookie by Mo Willems, a book we read for the first time two years ago, also thanks to VBCK. (Here's 4 activities we did with the book then).We revisited this book as a family and I realized this book could help us change. We engaged with the story. We talked about Pigeon and how he gets frustrated so easily and always focuses on what he feels is wrong or what he wants, rather than focusing on what he has and staying calm. We also talked about Duckling and how giving and understanding he is. Even though Pigeon gets upset, Duckling is still loving. He still gives Pigeon the cookie.

Then, I talked about myself and about how I was sometimes like Pigeon.

I even asked the boys if that they thought so, and they did. Even Caterpillar exclaimed that I get "too fus-to-waited." Then, we talked about each of them and how they were sometimes like Pigeon, and Wild Thing recognized that he sometimes makes a big deal about the things he wants rather than appreciating what he has. He recognized that he feels better when he is like Duckling - giving and helping others.

We then spoke about Duckling and about how we could help one another by giving each other more love if we see that one of us is upset and how we can do that anytime and with anyone.

We talked about how we could be extra kind if we see that someone is sad or angry.

Then, I showed the boys our new magic cookie jar (which is really just a rooster cookie jar that a neighbor was going to donate to Goodwill).

We turned it into our Pigeon Cookie Jar with simple paper, a Sharpie and some tape. Then, Wild Thing spotted some lids that we happened to have and those instantly became cookies -- some with no nuts and some with nuts.

With our magic cookie jar and recycled lid cookies, we've done some pretend play and role playing and re-telling of The Duckling Gets A Cookie, but most importantly we've given each other a cookie as a reminder. I gave Caterpillar a cookie at bedtime when he was getting very upset and he instantly calmed down and went happily to sleep with his cookie. Wild Thing gave me a cookie the last time Caterpillar peed on the bathroom floor instead of in the potty as he knows I get very frustrated when that happens, and it helped me stay calm. And now, just seeing the cookie jar serves as a trigger, a reminder for me, and I take some deep breaths and remind myself that I don't need to get frustrated or angry in those moments when I'm feeling overwhelmed.

I have two wonderful ducklings and they like to give me cookies (love)...

We're also planning to make real cookies to send to a family member who is in a bit of a "pigeon" phase. Focusing on kindness towards others can make a big difference. Pennies of Timehas great tips for families interested in service and acts of kindness and she shows how this approach truly does bring families closer together and really cuts down on the "I Wants!"

I am so grateful for Pigeon and Duckling and for the magic cookie jar that is

reminding us to be kind and giving!

Have you used a children's book to address a challenge that your family or child is dealing with -- or perhaps to discuss a difficult issue? If so, please share and while you're at it, tell us about your favorite Mo Willems book!

This is fabulous! This is just what I need right now. I am overwhelmed, frustrated, and I feel disconnected from my son. He is almost three. He gets very frustrated too. I have been putting off the potty training, but I need to do that soon. This will help him learn more about emotions and kindness, and it will remind me to stay calm. Thanks for sharing :)

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

March 20th is Very Hungry Caterpillar Day with celebrations and programs being held around the world to honor the 45th Anniversary of the book.

We love The Very Hungry Caterpillar, so of course we're joining the fun. Plus, my youngest son's blog nickname is Caterpillar, after the book. Just as Wild Thing is my 4 year-old's nickname inspired by Where the Wild Things Are. Today, we'll be doing another Very Hungry Caterpillar Food Drive. We did our first one for Eric Carle's birthday last June and called it a Very Hungry Caterpillar Virtual Food Drive and loved hearing that the virtual part worked, as others were inspired by our online shares and also did VHC-inspired food drives.

P.S. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Virtual Food Drive post also features 40+ Activities Inspired by the Book, so you'll definitely want to check it out.For our VHC-inspired food drive this time, Wild Thing will be helping me write the grocery list for food items to donate as we read the boo…

Having gotten to know Stacy really well through our joint Moms Fighting Hunger effort during Hunger Action Month, I was all too happen to jump on board and take on 12 Days of Christmas, the action prompt for Dec. 4th.

The e-book describes the prompt in this way: Choose another family in your area to be the recipient
of 12 days of gift giving. Try to think of a family that may be
struggling financially, emotionally, or with health problems and might
need a boost during the holiday season.E ach
day, starting December 13, leave a gift anonymously on the doorstep of
your chosen family. Involve the kiddos in your secret acts of service.
Your gifts can relate to the “12 Days of Christmas” song verses (i.e.
partridge in a pear tree, turtle doves, French hens, etc.) but it’s not
necessary. Try to choose or provide handmade gifts, drawings or tre…

October 7-13 is Fire Prevention Week, so I am sharing 10 Fire Safety Crafts, Activities, and/or Books to help kids learn about fire safety and to encourage them to have some fun too! At our house, fire trucks and fire fighters always get Wild Thing excited so engaging with some new activities was a lot of fun.